This may be the latest posted “Finished Project” on my blog EVER. In fact, I finished this many years ago, before I even had a blog! It’s one of those projects that I felt completely inspired by, intended to wear to an event, but then put away and never took out again. Well, I was determined to take photographs in it this year. To be honest, I highly doubted I would actually fit in it, but a little squeezing from my new corset I made this year, and it *barely* fit. Good enough for pictures, anyways!
When I first became aware of James Tissot’s amazing paintings, I wanted to make a bunch of dresses inspired by them. This one, “At the Rifle Range” (or “Woman at the Rifle Range”) from 1869 was an instant favorite because it appealed to my inner adventuress.
My husband was sweet enough to instruct me how to stand, so we could play at replicating the feel of the pose. Here, with photoshopped background to look more autumn/winter-y than we currently are in Southern California. The pistol is just a toy.
And here is how the plants really look in November where we live. I honestly wish we had some sort of weather- the years tend to kind of run together when you don’t have a visual representation of the changing of the seasons.
Unfortunately, I can’t give details on it because I honestly don’t remember what I did, but I DO know I used Truly Victorian for a base of top and overskirt (though I can’t remember which ones), and changed the patterns, but the underskirt is my all time favorite base skirt, the Grand Parlour Skirt. The fabric is an odd, interior decor fabric of sueded synthetic fibres, and the trim is faux fur.
Here’s a view of the back. I used antique cut steel buttons.
Trying to be Christmas-y with a vintage fur muff.
And some kitty pictures for good measure :)
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! Many blessings to you and yours.
Kori
November 27, 2013 at 10:06 am (11 years ago)OMG you look absolutely stunning!!!!! I’m in awe. Wow. The entire outfit, hair, everything!!!! Have a great Thanksgiving darling!
Oh, by the way, I’m hosting an amazing giveaway, where you can win one free pair of boots every month for an entire year through Country Outiftter! They have all styles! Head over and enter! Good luck! http://blondeepisodes.com/2013/11/omg-its-a-cowboy-boot-giveaway-win-up-to-one-pair-of-boots-for-a-year.html
Kori xoxo
http://www.blondeepisodes.com
Liz G.
November 27, 2013 at 10:09 am (11 years ago)The dress is gorgeous! You did a fabulous job with it and you look truly beautiful and authentic in it. Stunning!
Laurence
November 27, 2013 at 10:38 am (11 years ago)What an amazing dress!!!!!! I love this hat too.
I’m now complaining with our cold weather, don’t know what to wear because winter vintage clothes are really much harder to find… I would love to have a sweet winter like in California!!!!
Laura Morrigan
November 27, 2013 at 4:41 pm (11 years ago)The outfit is amazing! I am so filled with jealousy! Wonderful job!
Beckett
November 27, 2013 at 6:59 pm (11 years ago)This is just absolutely gorgeous! Tissot is one of my favorite artists, and now you are, too. :)
Evgenia Pradel
November 28, 2013 at 6:11 am (11 years ago)=) I like Tissot very much! Great job, the outfit look like just coming out from painting!
Matt C.
November 28, 2013 at 6:28 pm (11 years ago)Looks great! I can only imagine the amount of work it takes to make clothes like this.
Vii
December 8, 2013 at 3:46 pm (11 years ago)Those pictures with the kitty are very cozy and Christmassy :) I love the hat! How does it stay on, though? It’s so far forward… Does it have a comb or pins or something?